1, Camas wins first football state championship in school history
When quarterback Jack Colletto broke free for a 34-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, it sealed a historic season for the Camas football team with a 24-14 win over Richland in the Class 4A state championship game at the Tacoma Dome.
It was the first football state championship for a Clark County team since Evergreen in 2004, and it capped an unbeaten season for the Papermakers.
As they had done all season, the Papermakers got contributions from throughout the roster to defeat the Bombers and bring home the state title trophy.
2, Championship day for Camas, Columbia River girls soccer teams
The Camas and Columbia River girls soccer teams both reached the pinnacle of their sport in two different ways.
For Camas, it was with a defense that allowed just two goals all season, finishing with a 3-0 win over West Valley of Yakima in the 4A state final.
For Columbia River, the title came with more drama. After a 2-2 draw with Liberty of Issaquah, goalkeeper Emma Fisk came up with three penalty-kick saves to secure the 2A state championship for the Chieftains, who started the season with a 1-3-1 record.
3, Union boys basketball team beats Richland to reach state title game
In his high school career, Cameron Cranston made many big baskets for the Union Titans. But perhaps none was bigger than his shot with 3.2 seconds left to send the Titans to a 63-61 win over Richland in the 4A state boys basketball semifinal in the Tacoma Dome.
Cranston scored 25 points in the win over the Bobmers, including the final two off a pass from Jason Franklin.
The Titans would fall to Kentwood in the state championship game the next night. But the memory of that semifinal win will live on.
4, Many champions at Mat Classic
Four state champions in wrestling: Union’s Ethan Rotondo repeated, Battle Ground’s James Rogers had an unbeaten season, Camas’ Dylan Ingram added a wrestling title to one in football and Washougal Abby Lees’ returned to the top.
5, State baseball title for King’s Way
King’s Way Christian launched its baseball program in 2015. In the Knights’ third season, they captured the 1A state championship. It completed a special spring of baseball as Skyview reached the 4A state semifinals, finishing third.
6, Union sprinters shine in track
Dai’lyn and Jai’lyn Merriweather of Union dazzled at state, winning titles in the 200 (Dai’lyn), 400 (Jai’lyn) and leading the Titans in the 800 and 1,600 relays. Camas’ Madison Peffers and Daniel Maton, and Battle Ground’s Curtis Stradley also won.
7, Two cross country titles
One state champion in cross country is rare enough, but two? Camas’ Yacine Guermali won the 4A boys title, while Ridgefield’s Silas Griffith won the 2A boys race. And the Camas girls team earned second place in 4A.
8, Big day for boys swimmers
Boys swimmers at Clark County never had a better day at state. Mark Kim and Tom Utas won individual titles as Camas won its first team state title in 4A. In the 2A meet, Columbia River’s Josh Bottelberghe set two meet records.
9, La Center softball back in title game
The makeup of the La Center softball team was different this season, but the end was almost same. After winning the 1A state title last year, the Wildcats returned to the state title game, but this time falling to Montesano to place second at state.
10, Woodland’s volleyball unlikely run
The Woodland volleyball finished third in the 2A Greater St. Helens League and third in district. But in coach Jeff Nesbitt’s final season at the helm, the Beavers went on an unlikely run that ended with a runner-up finish at the state tournament.
